The final day of qualifiers provided another day of close and exciting racing in the Laser Radial Youth World Championships in Brisbane, Australia. Each day so far has seen a small increase in the wind giving a good mix of conditions.

Today was no exception. A twelve knot wind from the south east produced good surfing waves in the shallow waters of Moreton Bay and significant place changes on the downwind legs. Upwind the slowly oscillating wind further tested the sailors as it moved up to 20 degrees left and right of the average.

In the first fleet to start Daniel MIHELIC from Croatia came through on the downwind to take the lead at the turning mark from Antonios TZORTTZIS from Greece. By the time the fleet returned down wind the Croatian had dropped to fifth and Mathieu FREI had hit the front with Tzorttzis a close second. As these two battled it out on the reach before the final leg they pulled clear of Javier PADRON (ESP) only to both be given a yellow flag penalty by the jury. Sailing turned into synchronised swimming as both executed their penalty turns without losing a place. Even then the drama was not finished as Tzorttis crossed the line in silence as a result of crossing the start line two early.

In the blue fleet twice winner of the boys double-handed dinghy event at the ISAF Youth Sailing World Championship (in 2002 in the 29er and 2003 in the 420) Nathan OUTTERIDGE (AUS) had carved out a 45 second lead by the end of the first down wind from Shinnosuke from Japan. The two leading girls, Charlotte DOBSON (GBR) and Cecilia SAROLI (ARG) were having their own private race at seventh and sixth respectively. Outteridge held his lead to the finish ahead of fellow Australian Simon MORGAN who had climbed to second. Dobson, who started the race in the runner up position finished twelfth after having to take two penalty turns following a yellow flag from the jury.

In the last race before the cut to gold and silver both fleets pushed the line close with six pushing too hard and were scored OCS. In the first fleet Mihelic carved out an early lead overtaking Alex and this time held on to it until the finish. Padron had another solid race to finish a clear second whilst series leader, Jean Baptiste BERNAZ (FRA) got the better of Tzortzis after a close fight on the last downwind.

In the blue fleet Blair MCLAY (NZL) held off a strong challenge from Morgan with Outteridge coming home third.
Competitors representing 5 continents and all competing nations have made the cut for the gold fleet which will produce more exciting and challenging racing in forecast ideal conditions.

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